Plastic candle light



Dec. 6, 1955 M. ALPERIN ET 2,726,322

PLASTIC CANDLE LIGHT Filed May 1, 1952 "II III! II II II II I.

'IIIIIII II II II Lemuwd N Baenzigem by 7%? 1% flitor neys United StatesPatent PLASTIC CANDLE LIGHT Max Alperin and Leonard 'N. Baenziger,Pawtucket, R. I. assignors to Royal Electric Company, Inc, Pawtucket, R.1., a corporation of Rhode Island Application May 1, 1952, Serial No.285,373

1 Claim. (Cl. 24052.4)

This invention relates to electric candle lights of the type commonlyemployed for decorative use, particularly at Christmas time, eithersingly or in sets of two or more candles mounted on a common base; andpertains more particularly to plastic tubes and bases used in suchcandles.

Heretofore, the single candle lights or the candles of multiple lightsets have commonly been made of wood or paperboard and comprise a baseand one or more tubular candles supporting a small electric light bulbat the upper end of the tube, the base and tube being ornamental andpainted or tinted in a decorative manner.

These candle lights present a pleasing appearance when new, but are notdurable and soon lose their attractiveness after use and storage becauseof the inexpensive ma terials of which they are made and the chippingand soilin g of the painted surfaces and ornamentation which must beapplied by hand. Metal candle tubes have also been tried, but they arerelatively expensive, unnecessarily heavy and less attractive than thecheaper products. They must also be painted, and the surface is subjectto soilage or other damage.

Candle lights made of thermoplastic material would be more durable andattractive than those made of wood, paper or metal, and the finish wouldstand up indefinitely. A candle tube made wholly of thermoplasticmaterial is not permissible, however, for holding an electric lightbulb, under the requirements of the Underwriters Laboratories. Athermosetting plastic candle tube would satisfy those requirements, butthermosetting material is relatively expensive, difiicult to mold andnot obtainable in the colors desired for Christmas decoration in thehome.

It is accordingly the principal purpose of this invention to provide aplastic candle light which has a tube and base molded in pleasing anddesirable colors of a suitable thermoplastic material, the upper end ofthe tube having an inserted sleeve of thermosetting material fixedtherein and receiving the socket of the lamp bulb. Such a candle lightpossesses all the colorful, attractive and ornamental characteristics ofeasily molded and relatively inexpensive thermoplastic material, andalso satisfies the safety requirements of the Underwriters, for the bulbsocket is fitted in a small sleeve of heat-resistant, thermosettingplastic which is concealed in the top of the thermoplastic tube andpreferably held immovable therein.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of unique meansfor anchoring and concealing the inserted sleeve in the upper end of themolded candle tube, and for attaching the lower end of the tube to thelamp base, which may also be made of molded thermoplastic material of acolor which harmonizes or contrasts with the color of the tube.

These and other advantages of the improved plastic candle light will beapparent from the following description of the recommended embodiment ofthe invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevation of a single candle light with the light bulb andcord installed therein:

2,726,322 Patented Dec. 6, 1955 2 Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 ofFig. 1, showing the bulb, bulb socket and cord in elevation;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view, partly in section and partly in elevation,illustrating the separated components of the candle light; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In the form chosen for the purpose of illustration, the improved plasticcandle light comprises an ornamental, hollow base 11, a tube 12 having areduced bottom end 13 fitting rigidly in a socket 14 of the base, and asleevelike insert 15 received and anchored in the neck 16 at the top ofthe tube 12. The candle tube and base are separately molded ofthermoplastic material such as a suitable polystyrene or acetate.Injection molding is preferable for those elements. The insert 15 iscompression molded of thermosetting material such as a suitable phenoliccondensation product. Simulated candle drippings 17 may be Surfacemolded around the upper end of the tube 12.

After these parts are assembled as herein described, the lamp socket 18is press-fitted within the sleeve 15, and receives the bulb 19; and thelamp cord 20 passes downwardly and outwardly through the port 21thereof. Other ways of feeding the cord into or through the base may beoptionally employed.

The phenolic sleeve 15 is preferably formed with a plurality of exteriorprojections, such as longitudinal ribs 22 (Fig. 4) molded on itssurface, so that the sleeve will not turn or twist when inserted intothe neck 16 while the thermoplastic material is still soft. The bottomof neck 16 is formed with an interior annular shoulder 23 on which theinsert 15 seats, and the relative dimensions are preferably such thatthe top of the inserted sleeve is spaced approximately inch below therim of the tube or shell 12, which is flowed or pressed, while soft,over the upper end of the inserted sleeve, as indicated at 24 (Fig. 2),securely to anchor the insert in place. The outer end of the sleeve 15may have a countersunk bore at 25, for proper wedge fitting of the lampsocket 18 therein.

The reduced lower end 13 of the tube 12 fits snugly in the base socket14 with the tube shoulder 27 seated on the rim of the socket to which itmay be firmly bonded by applying a suitable solvent or cement totheparts before they are pressed together. When so attached, no partingline will be visible between the tube and base, yet these components maybe made in contrasting colors if desired.

After the base, candle tube and insert sleeve have thus been united, thelamp cord 20 is preferably threaded through the port 21 of the base, andthen upwardly through the tube which preferably has a tapered bore 26for guiding the cord end past the shoulder 23, and outwardly through theneck 16. The cord wires may then be connected to the lamp socket 18before the latter is press-fitted into the phenolic insert 15, when thecord 20 may be slightly retracted to assume the position of Fig. 2. Thebulb 19 may be applied to the socket whenever desired.

A plastic candle light formed and assembled as herein describedfurnishes an economical, durable, safe and attractive source ofornamental illumination at Christmas or on other special occasions. Theunpainted candle may be handled and stored without marring its color orsurface ornamentation; it is light in weight, yet stands steadily on awindow sill or ledge; and it lends itself to a variety of pleasing colortreatments which are enhanced by the light from a tinted bulb.

As previously indicated, the improved candles may be made singly asherein illustrated, or in sets of two or more attached to a common base.Consequently, the structural details of the candle base may be varied tosuit selected installations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HoptonDec. 13, 1910 Boss Apr. 5, 1927 Carmichael July 31, 1928 Sadacca Nov.18, 1930 Monk Mar. 27, 1934 Kelman Nov. 2, 1937 Swanson Aug. 25, 1942Desmond et a1 May 30, 1950 Reynolds Dec. 29, 1953

